Not ever office chair needs to cost the earth. In fact, I've been reviewing and testing the best office chairs out there for several years, and have put together this list of quality chairs that don't come with the premium price tag, including the best office chair under $500, and under $300.

Not every chair on this list will necessary be included on my list of the best office chair for back pain – that really focusses in on the ergonomic features. However, the top pick on our best budget office chairs - the Sihoo M90D – does combine both budget price tag and ergonomic features. I wholeheartedly recommend that model as the best budget option, as I've personally used it for several months, putting it through its paces. 

It's not all about price. I've focussed on affordability and dependability, build quality and comfort. Want more home office ideas? Check out our guide to the best standing desks, and our pick of the best desk accessories, best desk lamps and best computer speakers. 

Best overall

(Image credit: Future)

01. Sihoo M90D Ergonomic Chair

Part of the best budget chair range available.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Colours:

Black, grey and red

Weight:

18kg

Max capacity:

150kg

Dimensions:

65 cm x 66 x 117 cm

Assembly:

Needs assembly

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Reasons to buy

+

Good ergonomics

+

Affordable

Reasons to avoid

-

Takes time to construct

-

Lacks premium finish

If you want a budget office chair, which won't break the bank, Sihoo has a pretty sizeable range of options for you. And this one – the M90D – also adds solid ergonomics to the mix. 

Actually, the M90D chair is the more mid-range of Sihoo's chairs, and it's still amongst the budget price range, so really I don't know that you can go wrong with any of their range. When I tested it, I loved the adjustable lumbar support and overall comfort (though it took a while to put together.) 

The mesh back is breathable and there's a good level of lumbar support. It’s also adjustable: you can tweak the back support, headrest, armrests, height and tilt of the chair. 

The level of finish is quite evidently not up to the standard of more expensive designer chairs, which is unavoidable at the price. But in general, it not only looks the part but provides an excellent level of comfort and protection given the reasonable price. 

Best stylish budget chair

(Image credit: Union & Scale)

02. Union & Scale FlexFit Dexley Mesh Task Chair

Another solid option for a budget chair.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Seat height:

Adjustable

Seat width:

not stated

Max load:

275 lb

Lumbar support:

yes

Height adjustable:

yes

Tilt lock:

yes

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Reasons to buy

+

Super comfortable

+

Easy to adjust

Reasons to avoid

-

Might not be to everyone's taste

The Union & Scale FlexFit Dexley is our pick as the best overall budget office chair you can buy in 2023. It's comfortable and well built, and offers an adjustable lumbar support that you can slide up and down, tilt tension and tilt lock options, and even an angle-adjustable headrest. 

The breathable mesh material will stop you getting too sweaty on hot days (plus can be cleaned easily). The Union & Scale FlexFit Dexley feels solidly built, proving that cheap office chairs don't need to feel cheap, and there's a seven-year limited manufacturer's guarantee to give you further peace of mind. The only downside is that it's not the most attractive of office chairs, and only comes in two colors - black and blue.

Best classic look chair

(Image credit: Mainstays)

03. Mainstays Vinyl and Mesh Task Office Chair

A classic faux leather look.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Seat width:

16.75"

Max load:

250 lbs

Lumbar support:

no

Height adjustable:

yes

Tilt lock:

not stated

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Reasons to buy

+

Bargain price

+

Easy assembly

Reasons to avoid

-

No armrests

If you're looking for the best cheap office chair with a rock-bottom price, then the Mainstays Vinyl and Mesh Task Office Chair is a great choice, costing only $50. Despite its super-low price, this office chair is easy to put together, height-adjustable, and comes in a range of colors. 

There's a generously padded back and seat, although no armrests (but you may not find you need them when you're sitting at a desk). You may need to purchase a lumbar cushion if you're going to be doing long stints sitting on this. Overall, though, in terms of ease of assembly, use and value for money, it's a winner.

Best under $500

(Image credit: Vari)

04. Vari Task Chair

Best office chair under $500.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Dimensions:

20 x 20 x 43.3 in (51 x 51 x 110 cm)

Seat Height:

17.7 - 22 in (45 - 56 cm)

Maximum Load:

300 lbs (136 kg)

Colors:

Black, Grey

Warranty:

5 years

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Reasons to buy

+

Excellent ergonomics

+

Easy assembly

Reasons to avoid

-

Not the most sturdy

While slightly more expensive than some of the other budget office chairs in this list, the Vari Task Chair is our pick as the best office chair for under $500. For many people, this is still an affordable price (especially when compared to premium brands such as Herman Miller.

What sets this budget office chair apart from many others is its focus on ergonomics. Its back rest is made of a mesh, which allows for breathability to stop you getting hot and sweaty, whilst also providing excellent support. You can adjust this chair to suit your personal preferences, and with a concaved cushion, it's one of the most comfortable office chairs you're going to get for under $500.

Best under $300

(Image credit: Flexispot)

05. Flexispot OC2/Oka BS9

The best office chair for under $300.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Dimensions:

22.8 x 27.2 x 39 - 42.3 in (58 x 69 x 99 - 107.5 cm)

Seat Height:

16.5 - 20.3 in (43 x 51.5 cm)

Maximum Load:

265 lbs (120 kg)

Colors:

Orange, Cream

Warranty:

3-10 years

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Reasons to buy

+

Easy to set up

+

Comfortable

Reasons to avoid

-

No headrest

The Flexispot Light Mesh Office Chair OC2 (also called the Flexispot Oka BS9 in the UK) is the best budget office chair you can buy under $300. Its design is simple, yet elegant, so it'll fit into almost any home, office or studio, and while it may lack some of the features found in pricier rivals, it offers comfort and support for people putting in long hours at a desk.

You can adjust the height, and can easily move the chair around thanks to the well-built castors. The fabric cover feels great, offering a soft, yet solid, experience, which seems to mold to your back. It can also recline, offering a level of comfort that many cheap office chairs lack. One thing to note about the fabric cover, however, is that it can stain easily if you spill liquid on it. A leather or plastic chair would be easier to clean.

Best tall back chair

05. IKEA Markus swivel chair

A great budget chair from IKEA

Our expert review:

Specifications

Seat height:

48-57cm

Seat width:

53cm

Max load:

Tested at 110kg

Lumbar support:

yes

Height adjustable:

yes

Colour:

dark gray

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Reasons to buy

+

Lumbar support

+

Automatic brake

Reasons to avoid

-

Armrests can't be adjusted

IKEA's iconic Markus swivel chair might not be the most thrilling chair design-wise, but it's a solid if utilitarian office chair that does its job well, and for a low price. It's got some decent ergonomic features to make it comfortable and reduce the risk of RSI, including casters and swivel to help you avoid straining to reach things, in-built lumbar support for your back and adjustable height and back tilt. The breathable mesh back keeps you cool and is easy to clean. 

Unfortunately, the armrests aren't adjustable, although they can be removed completely. The automatic brakes on the wheels are a neat addition and like all IKEA products, it's been tested for durability.

Best budget gaming chair

(Image credit: Noblechairs)

08. Noblechairs Icon Gaming Chair

The best budget gaming chair for the office.

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:

☆

☆

☆

☆

☆

Specifications

Seat height:

46.5-56.5cm

Seat width:

34cm

Max load:

28kg

Lumbar support:

yes

Height adjustable:

yes

Tilt lock:

yes

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Reasons to buy

+

Smart for a gaming chair

+

Adjustable arm rests 

Reasons to avoid

-

Armrests could be better quality

When looking for a budget office chair, you may not have thought to consider a gaming chair. After all, they have a bit of a reputation as being big, visually striking, and expensive.

However, the Noblechairs Icon Gaming Chair disproves all of that with an understated design that means it won't look out of place in an office or studio, and comes with a choice of different fabrics; real leather, faux leather or PU hybrid leather and a range of colors. It's a lot less expensive than many other gaming chairs, yet still offers plenty of comfort, with adjustable armrests and the ability to recline it as well.

How we chose

Many of the budget office chairs in this guide have been personally tested by our writers here at CreativeBloq. When testing office chairs, we look not just at the price, but how easy it is to assemble - as office chairs often come disassembled.

We then use the chairs during our day-to-day work and make note of how comfortable they are, as well as how adjustable each part of the chair is - an important consideration when it comes comfort and safety.

FAQs

Are budget chairs ergonomic?

When buying a budget office chair, you may worry that you need to sacrifice comfort to get a low price. However, while some very cheap chairs may lack the ergonomic features you'd find in pricier models, there are still plenty of budget ergonomic chairs for your home or office, offering adjustable backs, lumbar support and tilt controls.

What's the best budget chair?

In our opinion, the Union & Scale FlexFit Dexley Mesh Task Chair is the best budget chair you can buy right now. It offers an excellent balance of value for money and features, and feels comfortable and well built, despite its low price. Its design is minimalist, which means it'll fit into most homes, offices and studios without any problems, and there's some nice ergonomic features as well to keep you comfortable.

How Much Do

Office Chairs

Cost?

How Much Do Office Chairs Cost and What to Look For:
Office chairs range in price from around $69 for a very basic entry-level model to as high as $610 or more for executive-style chairs or more for executive-style chairs.

The materials, style of the chair, functionality, and design all affect how much the chair ends up costing. However, it is good to not immediately opt for the cheapest models on the market. If you plan on having employees spend all day at a single chair, you want to make sure it is well built in order to ensure productive and comfortable staff.

Get a Price Quote on Office Chairs

The materials a chair is constructed from making the most noticeable immediate difference in chair pricing. Cloth and vinyl products land at the lower end of the scale, while leather is typically more expensive. Cloth or leather is often more comfortable than vinyl, especially when long workdays will be faced from the chair. Leather is quite resistant to odors and easy to clean, while cloth will stain easily and absorb odors from the workplace.

The most important features of office chairs are those that provide comfort and support to the user. You want a chair with excellent lumbar support, and preferably with a wide range of adjustments. These allow the individual using the chair to customize it to be as ergonomically friendly as possible. Because of everyone’s unique size, posture, and preferred seating position, a wide range of adjustment capabilities is essential for ensuring optimum workstation comfort.

The style of the chair is also important, as certain chairs are more suited to certain functions. Task chairs are designed for use at a workstation and are ergonomically optimized for working at a computer for long hours. Executive chairs are large, comfortable, and typically at the highest end of the price range. Other types of chairs such as conference room or reception chairs may be cheaper, as they only need to be comfortable for short periods of time rather than throughout a long workday.

What You Can Expect to Pay for Your Office Chairs

If you’re looking at a very basic cloth-covered task chair, you will probably find your cost in the $80-$150 range. Once you start moving into leather options that include more comfort features and adjustments, the price starts to move into the $200-$500 range. Bulk discounts are available, however, enabling you to furnish entire offices at a lower per-unit price.

Expect to pay somewhere between $100 and $400 for the majority of office chairs, even though you can get more affordable very basic models, and much more expensive deluxe options if you should so desire.

Office Chair Sample Costs

Below are a few examples of prices for Office Chairs which will give you an idea of how much you will pay for your purchase.

• $160 -$610 Typical cost per Leather Executive Chairs
• $69 to $155 average cost per Mesh Office Chairs
• High back office chairs for t cost about $155 – $270 each
• $98 to $170 average price for chairs for call centers

Conference Room Chair Costs

Standard chairs for conference rooms cost between $55 to $370:

• Stackable conference room chairs with a basic upright design, cloth seats cost an average of $59.
• Mesh-back conference chairs with a metal frame cost $88 to $153.
• Round-back conference room chairs made of fabric material and a wooden frame cost $186 to $2910.

Executive conference room chairs can cost as little as $360 to as much as $1,300.

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